Smile And Wave

What I Wore: My Handmade Dress

I picked up two yards of this vintage fabric somewhere in Missouri before we moved and was newly inspired to make something with it when I found this tutorial again. I should've been unpacking but it was one of those days when I just needed to do something creative. It's the best-fitting article of clothing I've ever made for myself. I can't wait to make something in a black and white polka-dot or large buffalo plaid next! 

I used the basic premise layed out in the tutorial about using a fitted top as a template and then adjusting a few things. I added more width to the skirt so I could do box pleats and bravely sewed in a zipper, wonky as it may look near the top. 

I added lining in the top for a nicely finished look and made everything larger than I thought so I could take it in to fit nicely. If you're feeling brave I suggest trying it with inexpensive sheeting or in a miniature size (doll dress or for a little person) before trying it on something you paid a lot of money for. Once you work out the kinks you'll have a few new pieces in your spring/summer wardrobe!

I wore my dress for the first time on our family date to the Airplane Restaurant. It's in East Colorado Springs and features an airplane themed restaurant with a huge WW11 aircraft attached to it. We got a reservation to eat in the plane and the kids got to play around in the cockpit and peek out the airplane windows while we waited for our food. Oh, and the food! Delicious.

I had Brett snap these outside the restaurant. Ruby and Sebastian ran around throwing pinecones while they waited on us and the weather was just gorgeous.

Outfit Details: Dress, handmade by me. Shoes c/o ModCloth. Cardigan, Target. Turqouise ring, local trade shop. Belt, thrifted. Bag c/o ELF.

So blurry but that look of joy on Ruby's face is priceless.

One of the first dresses I ever made that I actually wore was a white, eyelet, strapless number that I think I gave away when I got pregnant with Sebastian. I wish I'd kept it for Ruby. I've made a few since then but I think I've finally figured out that it's worth doing it right the first time and not taking short cuts if I want to wear it out in public!

Oh, and I need to add a hook and eye to this one because my side zipper had totally come unzipped to the belt between these photos, the coffee shop, and home. Thank GOODNESS I was wearing a cardigan. 

-Rachel

Five Going on Fifteen

Two weekends ago we took an adventure up to Pike's Peak. Well, almost. The first scenic outlook we came to was probably the most fun for the kids as they weren't bulked up in their complete snow gear just yet. 

I had dropped my camera a few days prior so as I was taking these photos, I was literally holding the guts of my lens in place. At least until it just decided to die.

Yep, right up there on that mountain my 50mm lens breathed it's last breath. 

I was thankful to get a few shots of our teenage son, I mean, five year old. He looked so grown up in his mountain man duck boots and new coat. Something about those long legs that keep getting longer and his 'I'm gonna climb this whole mountain' demeanor. 

As I mentioned in the last post, I've been slowly thrifting snow gear for the family but we weren't decked out it most of it. Brett has Army issued stuff that he's wearing above. I think he'd get lost in a snow storm if his hat came off, though. Most of what we've got doesn't match but since they'll be a little bigger next winter, I didn't mind. 


When Polarn O. Pyret contacted me to see if I'd like to review one of their shell jackets I was pretty excited. Not only did I get to pick out something I liked for Sebastian, it got here just in time for our trip. I made him put it on before we left home and he sure was glad after two minutes out in that wind at the scenic lookout. Once we got out at the reservoir I added the matching snow pants and layered a hooded sweater under the shell jacket as well as his hat and gloves and he stayed toasty warm while we ventured out to the edge of the frozen water. 

What I love about this jacket is that it's not only going to see him through next winter's weather, it works well for chilly spring mornings right now. Since it's water proof I won't have to worry about him getting soaked to the bone or missing any chance to play in the mud afterwards.

I appreciate a bargain at the thrifts but I also appreciate a high quality piece of clothing that does it's job while looking great. In fact, I already have my eye on this one for Ruby for next year. I also appreciate getting to do reviews on product for companies I can get behind and share with you as a reader. You can always trust that I'd never share something that doesn't fit the aesthetic of Smile and Wave and I do hope reviews like this one can be helpful for anyone searching for a similar product! 

I've already had a request put in from Ruby to go back up the mountain. Looks like another weekend trip is on the horizon. I grew up near Yosemite in Central California so I'm used to seeing the mountains to my East. It's funny being on the other side of another range and getting used to that being the West. Either way, I'm thankful we have the chance to let our kids enjoy them for awhile.

Do you have any mountains you call home?

-Rachel 

Friday Loves You

I've spent the last 10 days on a big house project along with a few DIY's to share on A Beautiful Mess and the building and photography parts are finally finished! I have a feeling most of my weekend will be spent editing photos and writing those posts as well as at least one full afternoon making up for the housework I didn't do. Yikes! If you walked through our house right now I'd tell you the mess is because we just moved in but really I'm not sure how much longer I can play that card!

You should see the basement, though! Looking mighty fine down there.

We'll sneak in at least one park trip and maybe try out an airplane restaurant we've heard about through the grapevine. Yes, a restaurant inside an airplane! Sebastian is thrilled.

Have a lovely weekend, folks. April is just around the corner!

-Rachel

EEK!

A few exciting things to share over here! First, Elsie and I were contacted by BUST magazine a few weeks ago to publish the Paint Chip Art that I designed for A Beautiful Mess and I finally got to see their version of it in print on Monday! They recreated the art using my instructions with an expanded tutorial printed on the following page. Other than being a great issue, there are a handful of other bloggers sharing recipes, photography advice, etc. that I know you'd enjoy. You can pick up a copy at Barnes & Noble.

The second exciting news is that Smile and Wave was named as one of Babble's Top 50 Mom Craft Blogs! I am really honored to be among so many of my favorite blog reads such as Under the Sycamore, Dana Made It, Poppytalk, Prudent Baby, etc. Head over for the full list if you need some great DIY inspiration. 

Thanks for all of your support through your readership! It means so much.

-Rachel

Ruby's Senior Portraits

She just wanted to climb a tree like her brother! As I was taking these top photos I was imagining her starting her last year of high school, taking senior portraits, talking about college, twirling her hair...(sniff). I'm sure when she's that age I will hardly remember how she looked without long locks without referring to a photo. 

Outfit Details: Vintage dress, Etsy trade (can't find original shop anymore as it's been over a year). Jeggings, Wal-Mart. Moccasins, Minnetonka. Cardigan, Target.

Our poor backyard is mostly dirt and brown bushes still as spring has only just this weekend nudged the trees and bushes to start blossoming. (These photos are from two weeks ago!) Those first hints of green sway in the air and promise a beautiful blocked view of the mountains. I don't mind. We just realized today that we have a cherry blossom tree in our front yard! How lucky do I feel!

I do love the sound of the kids playing in the backyard from the kitchen and studio (err...large hallway). We had a large grassy backyard at our last place but no fence and an awkward side entrance so we couldn't let the kids play outside by themselves as Ruby was no respector of boundaries and couldn't be trusted to stay in our yard. Now we can let Sunday out to run around and make sure they get plenty of sunshine and fresh air and I can still get dinner started or work at my sewing machine while keeping a watchful eye. Other than being covered in dirt from head to toe at the end of the day - and really that's what childhood is for - it's made me a happy mama.

I've been a busy little bee lately as we had a four day weekend with Brett and this week is Sebastian's spring break so I worked like a motivated mama on a little basement makeover so that I could not only tackle a major problem area at home but also share a few DIY's with you all! Let me just say I made three trips to Lowe's in two days and then Brett offered to go when I broke a drill bit and then went again when we both realized I'd told him to get the wrong thing. Oh, and I still have to go back at least once before my last project down there is finally complete. RIDICULOUS.

Next time we move, I'm making sure we're only two blocks away from a Lowe's so I can just walk there and kill two birds with one stone. Skip the gym and go to Lowe's three times! 

Lowe's five times in three days anyone? Anyone?

-Rachel

Shoes, Shoes, Shoes!

I get it! I used to wonder how women could own more than five pairs of shoes. Seven at most and only because you needed different shoes for different weather. I used to only buy a pair of shoes I would wear almost every day and wear them out that season because they didn't cost much. 

Fast forward until about six months ago and call me enlightened! Maybe it's because I'm thirty now and finally feel like it's okay to spend more than $35 on a pair of footwear. I want to invest in things that will last longer than my water filter. I want to enjoy my shoes!

It's true that a pair of shoes can make you feel like a million bucks. When someone asked a famous designer on Project Runway All-Stars recently what the most important things are to invest in as far as your appearance his advice was that you can't spend too much money on your hair and that the second most important thing was your shoes. My dad always says you get what you pay for. 

I'm not saying anyone should run away with that advice and go into debt over their shoe collection because it makes them feel pretty but I finally understand what a great pair of shoes can do for your wardrobe, how you feel about yourself, and how others perceive you. Appearances aren't everything. We all know that. They are something, though.

As a new member of the shoe club, I'm here to share my top ten favorites for spring from Modcloth. If I could only choose one it'd be between three and five. Those colors are just so happy.

Source: One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten. 

Which one is your favorite?

-Rachel

Extra Walls Means New Art

Being in a new house means figuring out your new wall space! While I'm happy to keep most of our art and decor from our last rental, we've got more rooms and unique spaces that call for new arrangements. Here are some favorites that I'd love to introduce to my white walls. 

Sources: Laura George, Laura George, Pretty Little Thieves, Leah Duncan, Lisa Congdon, Ashley G, Amy Rice, Linotte, YeeHaw, The Black Apple, Gracey May

Do you have any favorites? 

-Rachel

 

My Favorite Sick Day Comfort Food

I've noticed how much more I've been cooking our evening meals since we've moved in to our new house. I've decided it's because we finally have a decent sized kitchen with a built-in dishwasher rather than a portable one in a tiny kitchen that just stayed attached in front of the sink all day. It was so small that we'd have to run 2-3 loads to keep up and never mind baking something. Our kitchen was often times cluttered with half a sink full of rinsed off dirty dishes. Ugh.

Cooking was a bit of a drudgery and with such an irregular schedule for Brett's army and school duties and a five-year-old that made meal time a regular battle, I'd find myself not wanting to cook for just myself and a toddler. We relied a lot on the organic frozen food section of our local whole foods store, a lot of yogurt, and take out Chinese. I'd cook 2-3 times a week and usually easy meals that didn't require a lot of pots and pans. 

Jump forward to a beautiful, light-filled, well designed, old kitchen and a husband that gets home around 5:30 or 6 every weekday and you have yourself a new Rachel! My shopping cart now has more produce than cold boxes and my interest in putting healthful food into our bodies by making most of it myself has come out of hibernation.

I've been sharing some of these meals on Instagram because I need all the positive reinforcement I can get in this department and have had a few requests to share the recipes. I'm more an eyeball it kind of recipe follower because I've been doing a lot of these same meals for the last ten years off and on but I'm happy to pass it along for you to tweak to your own taste. If your significant other or kids don't like it you can pass the blame right on over here and go out for ice cream, okay? Okay.

Ruby and I were both feeling bad today although she had it worse as she fell asleep on me about an hour after her normal nap and lounged there most of the afternoon. I had planned on making chicken noodle soup later this week but decided it was just what we both needed to help our bodies fight off whatever is going on in there. 

EAT YOUR COLORS CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP

* 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast (cooking with the bone in helps with flavor and fights off those germs faster but I like the short cuts)

* 1 box of rainbow rotini 

* 2 cartons of chicken broth OR 8-10 bouillon cubes (with 8-10 cups water)

* 1/2 bag of baby carrots 

* 1/2 white onion chopped

* 8-10 small red potatoes

* 6-8 small purple potatoes

* 1 zucchini

* 3 stalks of celery

* 1 T minced garlic

* 2 bay leaves

* salt and pepper to taste

* pinch of thyme

Heat broth or water and bouillon cubes on medium-high heat. Add bay leaves, garlic, salt, pepper, and thyme. Chop vegetables and add to soup. Bring soup to boil and then let it simmer down now covered for 20 minutes or until carrots can be cut easily with a fork. Cut chicken breasts into small pieces and add to soup. Add rotini. Cover for 5-7 minutes or until chicken is boiled and rotini is tender. Don't overcook your chicken or it'll get tough.

Serve with sourdough bread rolls and a salad and you'll have a happy crowd. Makes enough for 4-6 depending on your appetites. I usually have leftovers and save them for lunch the next day or freeze it.

Brett has requested that it be made once a week for the rest of his life, rain or shine. I wouldn't mind myself. What's your comfort food when you're feeling a little under the weather?

-Rachel

p.s. You can find me on Instagram as @smileandwave.

Weekending: Two Adventures in One Day

So, it's like Wednesday almost but let's talk about last weekend some more. It was both deeply satisfying and exhausting and I'm still recovering from trying to shove too much in to one Sunday but sometimes you have to maximize family time! 

We had a slow start on Sunday getting packed for a trip up to Pike's Peak. So many articles of clothing to bring plus an extra few just in case! I'd been thrifting most of our snow gear weeks prior to moving but realized I'd returned a pair of darling snow boots of Ruby's and that Brett was bootless, too. To the thrifts it was! 

There were two spots on our way to the mountain and Brett was happy to oblige me. I found boots for Ruby and snow pants for me (and a darling pink Pyrex casserole dish that I'll tell you a funny story about later) but nada for Brett. I think I told him I was heading straight for the snow boots section and he kind of rolled his eyes knowingly. When I came out with my bag he asked me what else I'd found and almost didn't believe me that the lone Pyrex was my only distracted purchase.

We headed out to thrift store #2 to look for his boots and again I said I'd be right back since our trip couldn't start until I was but I was pulled in to the siren song of all those aisles of dishware and came out with boots (hooray!) and a set of floral plates and a set of enamel camping plates (oh, and some fabric). Brett actually tweeted that everything he thought would happen just happened as I got back in the car. Ten years of marriage and that man knows me well.

Long story short, we got halfway up the mountain to check out a frozen reservoir and spent about ten minutes getting everyone layered up. As soon as we got back in the car they were uncomfortable and wanted to go home but I was determined to get as far up that mountain as we could, dangit. We made it 6 miles of road to the peak but the roads were closed to due inclement weather so I took a picture and we headed down to find a fun patch of snow to play in. Those cranky kids were both out cold within two minutes so we never actually made contact with much snow. 

Since they were napping I talked Brett into driving to Denver on a whim so we could get the bed slats and mattress for Ruby's new bed from IKEA. I HAD GIFT CARDS! Burning a hole in my pocket, they were! We dropped S off in the kid zone and got Ruby situated in our cart to get on the elevator when I saw the sweetest mama with her new baby and three older kids. With baby fever still burning bright I asked her how new he was and then we realized we'd actually chatted on Twitter about school districts in Colorado Springs! It was fun and I was so impressed with this mama (Hi, Mindy!) braving IKEA with three kids and a new baby. Then she told us her husband just deployed and I wanted to cover her in gold stars! 

We left two hours later with bed slats and a full cart. We ate the meatballs and mashed potatoes. We didn't even fight. Brett did admit he had fun but I don't know if I'll be able to get him to go with me again any time soon. IKEA on a Sunday is nutso. 

 

I was thrilled to get home and finally put Ruby's big girl bed together. This one has a post of it's own coming soon in case any of you were curious about painting your own iron bed. 

A busy weekend but a memorable one, nonetheless. Years of not having an IKEA handy has taught me to be resourceful when it comes to finding furniture, etc. from thrifts and fleas and garage sales and I'm really thankful for how it's shaped my taste and style. Now I can go in and find things that work with what we have and compliment our style. I'm a happy girl. 

So, do you have an IKEA story? Big fight? More in your cart than you thought was physically possible? Making a friend? Do tell.

-Rachel

Outfit Details: Crocheted laurel headband c/o Rebecca Caridad. Wooden sunglasses c/o Tumbleweeds. Cowl c/o Hey!JenRenee. Sebastian's coat and pants c/o Polarn O. Pyret.

Bedding Details: Triangle quilt handmade by me, Tutorial in Home Ec E-Course. Afghan handmade by me. Vintage floral bedspread, thrifted. Vintage case, thrifted. Vintage iron bed, thrifted.

Sponsor Smile and Wave in April

After taking a break from paid sponsors in March so we can settle in to our new home I'm happy to share three reasons I think you should sponsor Smile and Wave in April!

1. You've got a chance to introduce and establish your brand/blog to the between 3,500 to 6,000 readers that visit Smile and Wave each day! Since we're both being more organized this year, securing your sponsor spot before the end of the month will ensure that that part of your spring advertising plan is successful. Readers can't enjoy your product or blog if they don't know what you offer!

2. I've got a full blog schedule planned now that we're settled in to our new city, new house, new studio. Readers can look forward to a steady stream of home decor inspiration, outfit posts, kid craft projects, vintage finds, and everyday life.

3. This includes a list of DIY's to share as I knock out new home projects which means lots of link backs as those projects get sent out into the interwebs. Look for posts that provide inspiration as well as posts sharing how to accomplish something similar in your own space.

April means a fresh excitement for blogging as life returns to it's regularly scheduled programing and I'm already thrilled with the new sponsors that are joining Smile and Wave next month!

If you've got a blog or shop that you think fits the Smile and Wave aesthetic and would like to get more information you can view my current rates here and/or e-mail [email protected] to secure your spot. I'd love to have you!

-Rachel